The annual event the Sunday of Washington Conference drew nearly 200 Legion Family members, led by the Sons of The American Legion.
The annual wreath laying ceremonies in conjunction with the Washington Conference started as primarily a way for the Sons of The American Legion to honor and remember those veterans who gave their life for the nation’s freedom.
It has gradually grown to be a Legion Family event, exemplified by the approximately 200 members of the Legion Family who gathered Feb. 23 to lay wreaths at the memorials on the National Mall and at Arlington National Cemetery.
It’s “amazing” to see, said SAL National Commander Joseph Navarreté.
“Seeing our Legion Family coming together and the amount of people we’re seeing (out here), it’s truly historic, and it goes to a testament that we need to continue to always remember those who sacrificed the most for us, and why we’re in our organization,” Navarreté said.
Navarreté was especially appreciative of the dual Legion and SAL members who wore their SAL caps on Sunday. “They sacrificed and they were there and they earned it, and to see them also honoring their why made a big difference. It’s all about our heritage,” he said.
“It’s moving to see the turnout we get on a Sunday,” said Detachment of Pennsylvania Alternate NEC Scott Baker.
The contingent of Legion Family, accompanied by recipients of the Samsung American Legion Scholarship, laid wreaths at the World War II Memorial, the Vietnam Memorial, and the Korean War Memorial on the National Mall. They then bused to Arlington National Cemetery.
Sunday’s ceremony wasn’t the first time Navarreté was part of a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier; he joined American Legion National Vice Commander Gary Leach and American Legion Auxiliary National President Trish Ward for a wreath-laying last Veterans Day.
But the emotions were still there on Sunday, he said.
“A lot of times, it’s hard to hold back the tears (when you lay a wreath),” Navarreté said. “I’ve been coming up for over 10 years now, laid several wreaths, but it’s hard to fight back the tears a lot of times because you can see it and feel it, just being in the area, and then being around all of the rest of us, the Legion Family, where we have similar goals, we all sense it together.”
“A very moving ceremony,” said Detachment of Pennsylvania NEC Joe Wysochanski. “You’re just overwhelmed by the power of it.”
- Sons